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The Guardian
19-05-2025
- The Guardian
Murder of Colombian model sparks outrage over rising femicides
The murder of a Colombian model and influencer, now being investigated as a possible femicide, has triggered widespread outrage and renewed criticism of the country's failure to protect women. María José Estupiñán, a 22-year-old student, model and influencer from the north-eastern city of Cúcuta, was killed on 15 May. According to the police, the suspect arrived at her house disguised as a delivery man and shot Estupiñán in the face when she opened the door. Surveillance camera footage showed the suspect fleeing shortly afterwards. 'She was a young, enterprising woman with a whole life ahead of her, but those dreams are cut short like the dreams of many women in this country,' said Magda Victoria Acosta, president of the national gender commission of the Colombian Judiciary. Authorities later confirmed that Estupiñán had previously been a victim of domestic violence, and that preliminary investigations point to a possible femicide, the intentional killing of women and girls because of their gender. 'It could be a case of femicide, since she filed several complaints for domestic violence in previous years, but that is a matter of investigation,' said Col Leonardo Capachoof the Cúcuta police. Estupiñán had previously reported her ex-partner for domestic violence, according to women's rights lawyers. The day before her death, a judge reportedly ruled in Estupiñán's favour, ordering the abuser to compensate Estupiñán with 30m pesos, approximately $1,554. Activists say the Colombian state is implicated in the crime. Alejandra Vera, director of Cúcuta-based feminist collective Woman, Speak Out and Move It, said the murder was 'preventable' but that the 'state fails to act'. 'The brutal murder of María José is the result of a system that normalises violence against women,' said Vera. 'Colombia is facing a pandemic of femicides – every 28 hours, a woman is a victim. Each crime reflects a systematic pattern of impunity and state negligence. 'María José, like thousands, did what the system demands: she reported the crime, presented evidence, and asked for help. But the state let her die,' said Vera. 'There are no effective protection orders, no follow-up care for abusers, and no shelters with the capacity. Women are left completely unprotected, and the perpetrators know it.' Femicide does not refer to any homicide of a woman, but rather to the murder of women for their gender. According to the Colombian Observatory of Femicides, femicides in the South American nation reached a seven-year high in 2024, with 886 recorded. The NGO said that up until March 2025, 207 femicides had been reported. Figures vary, however, with the attorney general acknowledging 640 cases by November 2024. Human Rights Watch has previously warned that gender-based violence in Colombia 'is widespread' and that perpetrators are 'rarely held accountable'. Vera said that laws exist to protect women in Colombia, 'but they are dead letters'. According to Woman, Speak Out and Move It, the police lack staff and resources, prosecutors are not trained to investigate gender-based violence, and repeat offenders are not monitored. Meanwhile, the National Women's Network NGO said that 73% of femicides in Colombia between 2021 and 2023 went unsolved. Estupiñán's killing as been compared to the 13 May shooting of 23-year-old influencer Valeria Márquez in Mexico, who was killed when livestreaming at a salon. The Mexican state prosecutor's office has said it was investigating the crime as femicide. Women's rights activists are now calling for marches in Cúcuta and Bogotá to demand justice for Estupiñán. At her funeral this weekend, a family member said: 'María José, life for you was a wonderful journey, but very short. Fly, fly very high, majo.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Columbian Influencer Shot Dead Days After Mexican Influencer Killed During TikTok Livestream
Colombian influencer Maria Jose Estupinan was shot dead at her residence in Cúcuta on May 15 Authorities said the suspect pretended to be a deliveryman before shooting Estupinan multiple times Officials suspect Estupinan's ex-boyfriend could be the shooter after she won a domestic violence case against him the day beforeA Colombian influencer has been killed just days after influencer Valeria Marquez was fatally shot during her livestream in Mexico. According to CNN, 22-year-old Maria Jose Estupinan was killed on May 15. She reportedly attended university in Cúcuta near the border of Venezuela. The outlet reports that the president of the National Gender Commission of the Colombian Judiciary, Magda Victoria Acosta, told the press at a news conference that a man pretending to be a delivery person shot Estupinan at her residence. Local news outlet Noticias Caracol reported that the suspect shot the student multiple times in Norte de Santander. Per NDTV, security footage captured a man running away as Estupinan's screams were heard. The social media star reportedly died later from her injuries at the hospital. 'We are verifying. The Judicial Police has already begun carrying out the necessary activities to identify and determine the whereabouts of the person who shot this young woman,' Colonel Leonardo Capacho, commander of District One of the Cúcuta Metropolitan Police, said in a statement to Noticias Caracol. PEOPLE has contacted the Cúcuta Metropolitan Police for comment. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The official also said that the suspect could be Estupinan's ex-partner, whom she previously reported for domestic violence. "It could be an alleged femicide, since she filed several complaints for domestic violence in previous years, but that is a matter of investigation,' Capacho said. Estupinan was also set to be given a reward of 30 million pesos after winning a domestic violence case against her ex the day before. Alejandra Vera, director of the organization, Mujer Denuncia y Muévete, which translates to Women Report and Move, told the outlet that the victim's ex 'stalked her and abused her, and she reported it to the authorities. By filing a complaint, she activated the route, requested assistance and requested full protection and security, and above all, that she could enjoy a life free of violence.' 'The Colombian state has failed this young woman," Vera added. Estupinan's death comes days after 23-year-old influencer Valeria Marquez was shot dead while livestreaming from her beauty salon in Jalisco, Mexico, on May 13. While Marquez was not at the salon, a man had previously gone to the location pretending to be a delivery driver. He reportedly said he needed to deliver a gift to the social media star. She then arrived at her salon called Blossom and spoke on TikTok about being fearful due to hearing about a man asking about her. 'Maybe they were going to kill me. Were they going to come and take me away, or what?' she said in the livestream before being shot. Authorities believe Marquez may have been targeted by hitmen. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Colombian model's murder, just days after Mexican influencer shot on live stream, sparks condemnation of femicide
The murder of a 22-year-old model and influencer in Colombia has sent shock waves through the country and drawn parallels to the killing of a Mexican influencer last week, highlighting the high rates of femicide in Latin America. Maria Jose Estupinan, a university student in Colombia's northeastern city of Cucuta, close to the Venezuela border, was killed on May 15, according to Magda Victoria Acosta, president of the National Gender Commission of the Colombian Judiciary. Speaking at a news conference, Acosta said the suspect, disguised as a delivery man, shot Estupinan in her home when she opened the door. 'She was a young, enterprising woman with a whole life ahead of her, but those dreams are cut short like the dreams of many women in this country,' Acosta said. Estupinan had been the victim of a domestic violence case and was about to receive compensation for it, Acosta added. She said the commission 'very strongly' condemned the crime and would work to deliver justice. Authorities are investigating the killing. CNN has reached out to the Colombian National Police and prosecutor's office for more information. Estupinan's Facebook page showed photos of her travels and daily life, including trips to New York and California, and of her posing by the pool or at the gym. The case has been covered widely by local media and spread on social media, with many comparing it to the May 13 shooting of 23-year-old beauty influencer Valeria Marquez in Mexico. Just days before Estupinan's death, Marquez was killed during a live stream at a salon by a male intruder. Officials in Mexico's Jalisco state said they are investigating Marquez's death as a suspected femicide – the killing of a woman or girl for gender-based reasons. While not all homicides involving women are femicides, many are. In 2020, a quarter of female killings in Mexico were investigated as femicides, with cases reported in each one of the country's 32 states, according to Amnesty International. Acosta did not say whether Estupinan's death was a suspected femicide – but her killing has highlighted the sheer scale of violence against women in Colombia. Gender-based violence in the country is widespread, including by armed groups, according to non-profit organization Human Rights Watch. Survivors face many obstacles in seeking care or justice, and perpetrators are rarely held accountable, the group noted in its World Report 2024. Colombia's National Gender Commission has logged thousands of cases of gender and domestic violence, including high rates of sexual violence, neglect, abandonment and psychological violence, Acosta said. Some 41 women were reported missing in Colombia between January and August last year – with 34 cases in Cucuta, where Estupinan lived, Acosta said. Many of the women were minors. Northeast Colombia has been particularly volatile in recent months, with a sharp rise in fighting between militant factions. Escalating violence in the Catatumbo region displaced tens of thousands of people in January, many of whom flocked to Cucuta, where Colombia's military deployed thousands of soldiers and special forces. Fernando Ramos contributed to this report.
CNN
19-05-2025
- CNN
Model's murder, just days after influencer shot on live stream, sparks condemnation of femicide
The murder of a 22-year-old model and influencer in Colombia has sent shock waves through the country and drawn parallels to the killing of a Mexican influencer last week, highlighting the high rates of femicide in Latin America. Maria Jose Estupinan, a university student in Colombia's northeastern city of Cucuta, close to the Venezuela border, was killed on May 15, according to Magda Victoria Acosta, president of the National Gender Commission of the Colombian Judiciary. Speaking at a news conference, Acosta said the suspect, disguised as a delivery man, shot Estupinan in her home when she opened the door. 'She was a young, enterprising woman with a whole life ahead of her, but those dreams are cut short like the dreams of many women in this country,' Acosta said. Estupinan had been the victim of a domestic violence case and was about to receive compensation for it, Acosta added. She said the commission 'very strongly' condemned the crime and would work to deliver justice. Authorities are investigating the killing. CNN has reached out to the Colombian National Police and prosecutor's office for more information. Estupinan's Facebook page showed photos of her travels and daily life, including trips to New York and California, and of her posing by the pool or at the gym. The case has been covered widely by local media and spread on social media, with many comparing it to the May 13 shooting of 23-year-old beauty influencer Valeria Marquez in Mexico. Just days before Estupinan's death, Marquez was killed during a live stream at a salon by a male intruder. Officials in Mexico's Jalisco state said they are investigating Marquez's death as a suspected femicide – the killing of a woman or girl for gender-based reasons. While not all homicides involving women are femicides, many are. In 2020, a quarter of female killings in Mexico were investigated as femicides, with cases reported in each one of the country's 32 states, according to Amnesty International. Acosta did not say whether Estupinan's death was a suspected femicide – but her killing has highlighted the sheer scale of violence against women in Colombia. Gender-based violence in the country is widespread, including by armed groups, according to non-profit organization Human Rights Watch. Survivors face many obstacles in seeking care or justice, and perpetrators are rarely held accountable, the group noted in its World Report 2024. Colombia's National Gender Commission has logged thousands of cases of gender and domestic violence, including high rates of sexual violence, neglect, abandonment and psychological violence, Acosta said. Some 41 women were reported missing in Colombia between January and August last year – with 34 cases in Cucuta, where Estupinan lived, Acosta said. Many of the women were minors. Northeast Colombia has been particularly volatile in recent months, with a sharp rise in fighting between militant factions. Escalating violence in the Catatumbo region displaced tens of thousands of people in January, many of whom flocked to Cucuta, where Colombia's military deployed thousands of soldiers and special forces. Fernando Ramos contributed to this report.
CNN
19-05-2025
- CNN
Model's murder, just days after influencer shot on live stream, sparks condemnation of femicide
The murder of a 22-year-old model and influencer in Colombia has sent shock waves through the country and drawn parallels to the killing of a Mexican influencer last week, highlighting the high rates of femicide in Latin America. Maria Jose Estupinan, a university student in Colombia's northeastern city of Cucuta, close to the Venezuela border, was killed on May 15, according to Magda Victoria Acosta, president of the National Gender Commission of the Colombian Judiciary. Speaking at a news conference, Acosta said the suspect, disguised as a delivery man, shot Estupinan in her home when she opened the door. 'She was a young, enterprising woman with a whole life ahead of her, but those dreams are cut short like the dreams of many women in this country,' Acosta said. Estupinan had been the victim of a domestic violence case and was about to receive compensation for it, Acosta added. She said the commission 'very strongly' condemned the crime and would work to deliver justice. Authorities are investigating the killing. CNN has reached out to the Colombian National Police and prosecutor's office for more information. Estupinan's Facebook page showed photos of her travels and daily life, including trips to New York and California, and of her posing by the pool or at the gym. The case has been covered widely by local media and spread on social media, with many comparing it to the May 13 shooting of 23-year-old beauty influencer Valeria Marquez in Mexico. Just days before Estupinan's death, Marquez was killed during a live stream at a salon by a male intruder. Officials in Mexico's Jalisco state said they are investigating Marquez's death as a suspected femicide – the killing of a woman or girl for gender-based reasons. While not all homicides involving women are femicides, many are. In 2020, a quarter of female killings in Mexico were investigated as femicides, with cases reported in each one of the country's 32 states, according to Amnesty International. Acosta did not say whether Estupinan's death was a suspected femicide – but her killing has highlighted the sheer scale of violence against women in Colombia. Gender-based violence in the country is widespread, including by armed groups, according to non-profit organization Human Rights Watch. Survivors face many obstacles in seeking care or justice, and perpetrators are rarely held accountable, the group noted in its World Report 2024. Colombia's National Gender Commission has logged thousands of cases of gender and domestic violence, including high rates of sexual violence, neglect, abandonment and psychological violence, Acosta said. Some 41 women were reported missing in Colombia between January and August last year – with 34 cases in Cucuta, where Estupinan lived, Acosta said. Many of the women were minors. Northeast Colombia has been particularly volatile in recent months, with a sharp rise in fighting between militant factions. Escalating violence in the Catatumbo region displaced tens of thousands of people in January, many of whom flocked to Cucuta, where Colombia's military deployed thousands of soldiers and special forces. Fernando Ramos contributed to this report.
